Detainees at Manus Island: The current crisis led to the death of one asylum seeker and serious injuries for several others. Photograph: Reuters/ABC News

China’s foreign ministry has expressed concern over Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers following a chaotic week at the Manus Island processing centre.

The current crisis at Manus Island, which led to the death of one asylum seeker and serious injuries for several others, has thrown Australia’s treatment of refugees into the international spotlight.

Ongoing protests had been occurring at the Manus facility, which escalated on Sunday night, leading to violence involving guards, local contractors and asylum seekers.

China’s foreign affairs vice-minister, Li Baodong, said China was concerned about “the protection of refugees and asylum seekers, the rights of the children of refugees and education and also other rights”.

“We have also asked about whether these refugees will be illegally repatriated to other countries,” said Li Baodong on Thursday.

The comments from China are particularly concerning, given the country’s own tarnished human rights record.

As the investigations into what happened on the island continue, Manus Island police chief Alex N’Drasal also hit back at the Australian government and said the recent violence could have been avoided if the centre was managed better.

“These asylum seekers are educated people and should be treated (as such),” he told the National.